Prayer

1. WHEN thou prayest, thou shalt not use many words, or vain repetitions; for God hath understanding: nor shalt thou cry aloud;1 for God heareth the whisper of the heart.29 words,132 letters.

2. Nevertheless, in the assembly shalt thou speak with an audible voice, that he who prayeth with thee, may say, Amen. 20 words,91 letters.

3. Thy prayers shall be unto God, thy Father;2 for he is rich in mercy, and loving kindness: and in heaven shall he hear thee, in the fulness of his wisdom and goodness, if thou believe on his name. But unto his Ministers shalt thou petition for whatsoever he has dispensed unto them. For his mercy is over all his works. 60 words,249 letters.Total—3 sec., 109 words, 472 letters.

1. A great mistake prevails in regard to the proper occasions of prayer. Many pray at certain appointed times every day, or every week, without regard to the occasion, and think attention to it with perfect regularity a most important duty.

[1 Matt. vi, 6, 7. 2d Kings iv, 33. [2 Matt. vi, 9.

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2. With such, prayer becomes a parrot like repetition of words, and tends more to hypocrisy than communion with God.3. Man ought always to give thanks when he has abundance; always to pray, when in unprovided want.4. But his wants are not the occasion of prayer, if he is able to put forth his hand and supply them. Rather should he help himself, and then give thanks that abundance was bestowed, so that he had but to reach forth his hand and enjoy.5. How much annoyance do children often make, continually asking for that, which, perhaps, has already been refused them, or is being prepared with all possible expedition, or possibly is ready and waiting to be taken by them.6. Like this is the conduct of the children of our heavenly Father, who continually importune, year after year, for what God has never found them worthy to receive, or what he is preparing for them, or has already bestowed upon them in abundance.7. The Lord Jesus, in his day, taught his Disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” (Matt. vi, 11,) because he had taken them from the business at which they laboured, and sent them out preaching without purse or scrip.8. But that instruction is no reason why he should pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” who has bread for himself and all in his house for a whole year, and a like abundance for all other wants. Such a one should give thanks for what God has bestowed upon him, and, perhaps, pray God to inspire him with meekness and charity to so use it that it shall be a blessing, and not a condemnation.9. Not only do thousands pray for what is already supplied to them in abundance without the asking, but also mistake the direction of their petitions; asking of God what they have only to ask their neighbours or their rulers for.